Florence was born in Portsmouth on March 13, 1915, the daughter of Annie Knight, and attended Portsmouth schools. She married Theodore (Teddy) Arendt in 1934 and was a mother and homemaker to their six daughters, making their home in Portsmouth until Teddy's death in 1953.

Florence is survived by five devoted daughters: Norma Curti and her husband Raymond, of Dover, Jane Pinney and her husband, Richard, Priscilla Syphers and her husband, Leroy, and Gail MacKenzie, all of Greenland, and Adrienne Rubino and her husband, Robert, of Newmarket.

There are no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at a later date and details will be published at that time. Donations in Florence's memory may be made to the charity of one's choice.

WE REMEMBER: Florence moved to Greenland, where she continued to raise her daughters. In 1964, she married Edward C. "Ned" Smith of Dover. She and Ned made their home in Dover for a short time before moving to Newmarket. After Ned's death in 1989, she continued to live on her farm until a few years ago.

She is also survived by 17 loving grandchildren: Patricia Daigle of Washington, D.C., Donna Hand and her husband, William, of Portsmouth, Darlene Pearl and husband, Scott, of Newfields, Caren Peloso and her husband, Michael, of Dover, Jana Curti of Dover, Gina Curti of Thornton, Joanna Buell and her husband, David, of Sullivan, Maine, Laurel Brown and Karole Smith of Portsmouth, Theodore Pinney of Rochester, Deborah Ludington and her husband, Fred, of Greenland, Eric Syphers and his wife, Kristin, of Portsmouth, James A. MacKenzie of Deerfield, Jay MacKenzie of Greenland, Jason MacKenzie and his wife, Rose, of Greenland, Douglas Rubino and his wife, Janet, of Deer Park, Texas, and Daniel Rubino of Wakefield, R.I.

She also leaves 27 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a half-brother, William Smith of Rochester; and half-sisters Alice Leavitt of Madison, Maine, and Ruth Francis of Tucson, Ariz.

She was predeceased by her daughter, Barbara, her son-in-law, Donald Daigle, and her grandson, Dale Daigle, all of Portsmouth; her granddaughter, Deanna Michniewich of Florida; and her son-in-law, James MacKenzie of Greenland.

Advertise

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
seacoastonline.com ~ 111 New Hampshire Ave., Portsmouth, NH 03801 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service